Control apparatus for fast inter processing unit data exchange in an architecture with processing units of different bandwidth connection to a pipelined ring bus

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, many architectures have processing units with different bandwidth requirements which are connected over a pipelined ring bus. The proposed invention can optimize the data transfer for the case where processing units with lower bandwidth requirements can be grouped and controlled together for a data transfer, so that the available bus bandwidth can be optimally utilized.

The present application is the National Phase of PCT/JP2008/054224, filed Mar. 3, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control apparatus in an architecture with processing elements, each can be connected with a bandwidth of xεIN_(>0) times base bandwidth B_(B), grouped to processing units, which are arranged sequentially in a pipelined ring bus, to reach a fast inter processing unit data exchange capability.

BACKGROUND

Over the time, many processors operating in single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) (Reference 1) or multiple instructions, multiple data (MIMD) (Reference 2) style have been proposed. Many upcoming algorithms, like for example H.264, consist of a number of sub algorithms which follow partly the SIMD and partly the MIMD control style. Therefore, a number of different dual mode SIMD/MIMD architectures were developed (Reference 3-Reference 9). However, all these architectures have in common a complex data transfer network, which requires large amount of wiring area. An alternative approach was used inside the Cell processor, a processor which uses a pipelined ring bus as data network (Reference 10), which reduces the wiring area needs for the data transfer network.

All mentioned designs have in common, that the processing units (PU) are connected with the same bandwidth to the data transfer network. When however looking on nowadays complex algorithms, like for example H.264, it can be seen, that some parts of the algorithm require higher data bandwidth than other parts. Also, when looking on new arising architectures, like for example the one explained in Reference 11, different data bandwidth connections to the data transfer network can be observed for processing elements (PE) working in SIMD mode and autonomous working processing units (APU), which consist of four PE, working in MIMD mode.

The references are listed below.

[Reference 1]

R. A. Stokes et al, “Parallel operating array computer”, U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,074, Oct. 27, 1970

[Reference 2]

A. Rosman, “MIMD instruction flow computer architecture”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,676, Jun. 6, 1989

[Reference 3]

R. J. Gove et al, “Multi-processor reconfigurable in single instruction multiple data (SIMD) and multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) modes and method of operation”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,777, May 18, 1993

[Reference 4]

N. K. Ing-Simmons et al, “Dual mode SIMD/MIMD processor providing reuse of MIMD instruction memories as data memories when operating in SIMD mode”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,654, Aug. 24, 1993

[Reference 5]

R. J. Gove et al, “Reconfigurable multi-processor operating in SIMD mode with one processor fetching instructions for use by remaining processors”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,083, May 28, 1996

[Reference 6]

J. A. Sgro et al, “Scalable multi-processor architecture for SIMD and MIMD operations”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,771, May 11, 1999

[Reference 7]

T. Kan, “Parallel data processing system combining a SIMD unit with a MIMD unit and sharing a common bus, memory, and system controller”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,508, Oct. 11, 1994

[Reference 8]

J. H. Jackson et al, “MIMD arrangement of SIMD machines”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,651, Nov. 26, 2002

[Reference 9]

E. Waingold, “Baring it all to software: The Raw Machine”, MIT/LCS Technical Report TR-709, March 1997, pp. 1-28

[Reference 10]

J. A. Kahle, “Introduction to the Cell multiprocessor”, IBM Journal of Research and Development Volume 49, Number 4/5, July/September 2005, pp. 589-604

[Reference 11]

S. Kyo, “A Low Cost Mixed-mode Parallel Processor Architecture for Embedded Systems”, ICS, June 2007, pp. 253-262

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following analyses are given by the present invention. All the disclosures of above mentioned references are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

All these approaches, whether connected with same or different bandwidth to the transfer network, have in common that they control each data transfer separately using one source control unit and one destination control unit or, when broadcasting the same data, using one source control unit and several destination control units.

It is an object of the present invention, to utilize more efficiently the available network data bandwidth.

Other objects will become apparent in the entire disclosure.

The optimization is done by area efficiently controlling together a set of i independently controlled processing units with lower bandwidth connection B_(Li) when transferring over the pipelined ring bus data between this set of processing units and a single processing unit with higher bandwidth connection B_(H), so that Σ_(iεset of PU)B_(Li)=B_(H).

More specifically, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing system having an architecture with a base bandwidth B_(B). The processing system comprises: a pipelined network connection formed as a ring with a bandwidth B_(BUS) which is a multiple of the base bandwidth B_(B) and with (B_(BUS)/B_(B))εIN_(>1), where “/” represents the integer division and IN_(>1) represents natural number larger than 1, to enable the possibility to transfer multiple data sets with the base bandwidth B_(B) at the same time. More precisely, the bandwidth B_(BUS) is defined by (B_(BUS) % B_(B))==0, wherein “%” represents the modulo operation, to make sure that B_(BUS) is a multiple of B_(B).

The system further comprises: processing elements with possibly different bandwidth connection (x_(PE)*B_(B)) with x_(PE)εIN_(>0) to the pipelined ring network, where IN_(>0) represents natural number; and processing units, formed of one or several processing elements which are grouped and controlled together, with different bandwidth connection (x_(PU)*B_(B)) with x_(PU)εIN_(>0) to the pipelined ring network. The system comprises a control apparatus controlling over the pipelined ring network; a fast data spreading transfer mode with one sending unit and a plurality of receiving processing units, wherein the bandwidth connection of the sending processing unit equals the sum of the bandwidth connections of the plurality of receiving processing units; and/or a fast data collection transfer mode with a plurality of sending processing units and one receiving processing unit, wherein the sum of the bandwidth connections of the sending processing units equals the bandwidth connection of the receiving processing unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing method using an architecture with a base bandwidth B_(B). The method comprises: providing a pipelined network connection formed as a ring with a bandwidth B_(BUS) which is a multiple of the base bandwidth B_(B) and with (B_(B)/B_(B))εIN_(>1) , where “/” represents the integer division and IN_(>1) represents natural number larger than 1, to enable the possibility to transfer multiple data sets with the base bandwidth B_(B) at the same time. The method further comprises: having processing elements with possibly different bandwidth connection (x_(PE)*B_(B)) with x_(PE)εIN_(>0), where IN_(>) represents natural number; and connecting processing units, formed of one or several processing elements which are grouped and controlled together, with different bandwidth connection (x_(PU)*B_(B)) with x_(PU)εIN_(>) to the pipelined ring network. The control apparatus controls over the pipelined ring network; a fast data spreading transfer mode with one sending unit and a plurality of receiving processing units, wherein the bandwidth connection of the sending processing unit equals the sum of the bandwidth connections of the plurality of receiving processing units; and/or a fast data collection transfer mode with a plurality of sending processing units and one receiving processing unit, wherein the sum of the bandwidth connections of the sending processing units equals the bandwidth connection of the receiving processing unit.

The meritorious effects of the present invention are summarized as follows.

According to the present invention, there will be the positive effect that the network bandwidth can be more efficiently utilized in systems where independently controlled processing units with different bandwidth connection requirements are connected to a pipelined ring bus.

Further advantageous features of the present invention are recited in the dependent claims.

Any one of the processing units can work in a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) style.

The processing system may further comprise: a global control unit with access control lines that controls and arbitrates the data transfer demands coming from the processing units by executing data flow control sequences.

The controller may execute a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from a single processing unit to many processing units with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with

a.) (B % B_(B))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1) and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).

The controller may also execute a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from many processing units to a single processing unit with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with

a.) (B % B_(b))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1) and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).

A group or groups of processing elements can be arranged at run time to processing units.

Processing elements are configurable at run time to the SIMD or non-SIMD style.

Data which is generated in one processing unit may be divided in smaller parts which are transferred to multiple processing units at the same time.

Data which is generated in multiple processing units may be transferred at the same time to one processing unit where it is collected for further processing.

Data and associated control data may be generated in one processing unit then divided and transferred at the same time to different processing unit where it is needed for further processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example architecture consisting of a GCU, a pipelined ring bus and 16 PE, grouped together to larger PU.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of the data and data flow control signals of the example architecture.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the GCU with supported conventional transfer modes.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the GCU with supported conventional and new proposed transfer modes.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart (comparative example) of a data spreading transfer with conventional transfer modes.

FIG. 6 is an example of a timing chart of a data spreading transfer with the new proposed transfer modes.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart (comparative example) of a data collection transfer with conventional transfer modes

FIG. 8 is an example of a timing chart of a data collection transfer with the new proposed transfer modes.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart (comparative example) of a transfer of data and associated control signals with conventional transfer modes.

FIG. 10 is an example of a timing chart of a transfer of data and associated control signals with the new proposed transfer modes.

PREFERRED MODES

FIG. 1 shows an example architecture implementation with global control unit (GCU) (101), an array of 16 processing elements (PE) (102) and a unidirectional pipelined bus system formed as a ring (103) with register R (104). This example architecture is configurable at run time and here one possible configuration is shown where the lower 8 PE are grouped to one processing unit (PU) which is working in single instruction multiple data (SIMD) style controlled by the GCU (106). The upper 8 PE are also grouped together to larger units, the autonomously working processing units (APU) (105). In this example, two times two PE are formed to an APU (APU₀ and APU₁) and one time four PE are formed to APU₂. The base bandwidth B_(B) is equal to the bandwidth one PE connects to the bus system B_(B)=B_(PE). This results for APU₀ and APU₁ in a bandwidth of B_(APU0)=B_(APU1)=2*B_(B) and for APU₂ in a bandwidth which is B_(APU2)=4*B_(B). To serve APU₂ with full data bandwidth in this example architecture, the pipelined ring bus as well as GCU have also a bandwidth of B_(BUS)=B_(GCU)=4*B_(B).

FIG. 2 shows for the example architecture the connection between each PU and the pipelined ring bus with width B_(BUS)=4*B_(B) (201) in more detail. While modules, which have same bandwidth like the ring bus, are fixed connected (202), all other units are connected to the ring bus over a multiplexer (for sending data) respectively demultiplexer (for receiving data) (203) which is controlled from a data flow control unit (DFCTRL) to enable access to the whole ring bus bandwidth. A conventional data transfer in such kind of architecture fulfills following conditions:

a.) Data transfer bandwidth is set to the smallest supported bandwidth of all units taken part in the transfer (sending PU, network, receiving PU)

b.) Data is sent from one sending PU

c.) Data word is received from one receiving PU or, in case of broadcast mode, the same data word is received from many receiving PU.

Additionally, control lines (204) are shown between the GCU and processing units (PUs). For an APU, over these control lines two type of signals are sent, first, request parameters transferred from the APU DFCTRL to GCU and second, acknowledge parameters including multiplexer setting transferred from GCU to APU DFCTRL. For a PE array in the SIMD PU, where the controlling is done by the SIMD DFCTRL inside the GCU, only multiplexer settings are sent from GCU to PE array (i.e. each of PEs).

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the GCU with supported conventional transfer modes. The GCU comprises two units, first, the SIMD DFCTRL unit (302), which is responsible for controlling the data flow to/from the global controlled PE array and second the MAIN DFCTRL unit (301), which receives the data transfer request signals from all DFCTRLs and directs then the way of data transfer by sending the acknowledge parameters to the requesting DFCTRL at correct time points. The two supported conventional transfer modes are the “1 to 1” (303) and “1 to n bc” (304) transfer mode. While with the “1 to 1” transfer mode data is sent controlled by one sending DFCTRL and one receiving DFCTRL, with the “1 to n bc” transfer mode the same data is sent in broadcast mode controlled by one sending DFCTRL and many receiving DFCTRLs.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the GCU with supported conventional and new proposed transfer modes. Additional to the two conventional transfer modes “1 to 1” and “1 to n bc”, the two new transfer modes “1 to n” (401) and “n to 1” (402) with nεIN_(>1) are supported. With the “1 to n” transfer mode at the same time different data is transferred controlled by one sending DFCTRL and many receiving DFCTRLs, while with the “n to 1” transfer mode at the same time different data is transferred controlled by many sending DFCTRLs and one receiving DFCTRL.

EXAMPLES

One typical class of algorithms where these new transfer modes can be effectively used is, where data is generated in one PU and then the output data is divided in smaller parts which are sent to other PU (data spreading) or a number of PU are generating data and then the data is sent from these PU to one PU (data collection) for further processing.

As example for a data spreading transfer in our architecture, APU₂ produces 16 data words with bit width B_(B) as output data. This output data is needed as input data from APU₀ and APU₁, which each needs eight data words.

Comparative Example 1

In a conventional architecture the transfer would only use half of the ring bus bandwidth by transferring two data words each clock cycle as shown in FIG. 5, where both transfers run one after each other transferring first eight data words from APU₂ to APU₀ and then eight data words from APU₂ to APU₁. In the transfer, the destination units are specified by the upper bits of the address signal, GCU=0×0, APU₀=0×1, APU₁=0×2, APU₂=0×4, PE array=0×8.

For the relations of edges between signals refer to the arrows illustrated FIGS. 5-10.

As described at 503 in FIG. 5, 0x1000 and 0x2000 are combined address and control signal. The last 12bit are the address and the first bits are control signals to specify the destination unit, in which 0x1000 means address 0 in APU₀ and 0x2000 means address 0 in APU₁.

First, a request is sent from APU₂ with the destination address to the MAIN DFCTRL. At the timepoint, where the MAIN DFCTRL is sending the acknowledge signal, the request is taken away. Additionally, the two control signals are set to 1, the signal ST_(APU2) to cause APU2 to put the data onto the ring bus and the signal BUS_SFT to shift the data on the ring bus. Because ST_(APU2) is set to 1, APU₂DATA is put from APU₂ onto the ring bus. When the data arrives at the destination unit defined by APU₂ADR after passing the pipeline registers, the signals LD_(APU0) and LD_(APU1) respectively are set to 1 and the data is read from bus. With the four pipeline registers R₂, R₃, R₄, R₀ on the way from APU₂ to APU₀/APU₁ this takes overall 16 clock cycles.

Example 1

Referring to FIG. 6, when using the new proposed transfer sequence “1 to n” (401 in FIG. 4), the data can be sent from APU₂ to APU₀ and APU₁ at the same time by using the full ring bus bandwidth and transferring four data words each clock cycle. Sending at the same time is invoked from APU₂ by selecting both destination bits in the upper nibble of the address signal APU₂ADR at the same time. “0x3000” for APU₂ADR in FIG. 6 is a combined address and control signal, and means address 0 in APU₀ and APU₁. This reduces the number of clock cycles to 10.

Comparative Example 2

Referring to FIG. 7, for a data collection transfer to APU₂ at the end of a parallel data processing in APU₀ and APU₁, in a conventional architecture the data has to be transferred sequentially to APU₂, where first the data from APU₀ and then from APU₁ is transferred, which takes 13 clock cycles. First, APU₀ and APU₁ are requesting a data transfer to APU₂ by setting the signals APU₀REQ and APU₁REQ to 1 and setting the upper nibble of the destination address APU₀ADR and APU₁ADR to 4 (APU₂). Each unit is waiting for the acknowledge signal from the MAIN DFCTRL unit to start the data transfer over the ring bus. In a conventional architecture, these acknowledge signals are coming one after each other, so that, as shown in this example, first APU₀ and then APU₁ can transfer the data to APU₂.

Example 2

Referring to FIG. 8, when using the new proposed transfer sequence “n to 1”, this transfer can be done in parallel, which reduces the number of necessary clock cycles over the pipelined ring bus to 7. This parallel transfer is possible, because the architecture supports the controlling for a transfer with multiple sources.

Comparative Example 3

Another typical class of algorithm where the new proposed transfer mode “1 to n” can be effectively used is, where data and associated control signals are generated in one PU and then the output data is divided into data and control signals which have to be processed further in different PU.

As example, APU₂ is generating 16 words of output data, which are used as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 data word usage unit 0 data PE₈, PE₁₀, PE₁₂, PE₁₄ 1 data PE₉, PE₁₁, PE₁₃, PE₁₅ 2 control signals APU₀ 3 control signals APU₀ 4 data PE₈, PE₁₀, PE₁₂, PE₁₄ 5 data PE₉, PE₁₁, PE₁₃, PE₁₅ 6 control signals APU₀ 7 control signals APU₀ 8 data PE₈, PE₁₀, PE₁₂, PE₁₄ 9 data PE₉, PE₁₁, PE₁₃, PE₁₅ 10 control signals APU₀ 11 control signals APU₀ 12 data PE₈, PE₁₀, PE₁₂, PE₁₄ 13 data PE₉, PE₁₁, PE₁₃, PE₁₅ 14 control signals APU₀ 15 control signals APU₀

Referring to FIG. 9, in case of a conventional architecture the transfer would only use half of the ring bus bandwidth by transferring two data words each clock cycle, where both transfers run one after each other transferring first eight data words from APU₂ to the SIMD PE array and then eight data words from APU₂ to APU₀. With the pipeline registers between the processing units this takes overall 16 clock cycles.

Example 3

Referring to FIG. 10, when using the new proposed transfer sequences, the data can be sent from APU₂ to the SIMD PE array and APU₀ at the same time by using the full ring bus bandwidth and transferring four data words each clock cycle, which reduces the number of necessary clock cycles to 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention can be used to achieve a high performance processor design in low cost for embedded systems.

It should be noted that other objects, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent in the entire disclosure and that modifications may be done without departing the gist and scope of the present invention as disclosed herein and claimed as appended herewith.

Also it should be noted that any combination of the disclosed and/or claimed elements, matters and/or items may fall under the modifications aforementioned. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A processing system having an architecture with a base bandwidth B_(B) comprising: a pipelined network connection formed as a ring with a bandwidth B_(BUS) which is a multiple of the base bandwidth B_(B) and with (B_(BUS)/B_(B))element of IN_(>1), where “/” represents the integer division and IN_(>1) represents natural number larger than 1, to enable the possibility to transfer multiple data sets with the base bandwidth B_(B) at the same time; processing elements with possibly different bandwidth connection (x_(PE)*B_(B)) with x_(PE) element of IN_(>0) to said pipelined ring network, where IN_(>0) represents natural number; processing units, formed of one or several processing elements which are grouped and controlled together, with different bandwidth connection (x_(PU)*B_(B)) with x_(PU) element of IN_(>) to said pipelined ring network; and a control apparatus controlling over said pipelined ring network; a fast data spreading transfer mode with one sending processing unit and a plurality of receiving processing units, wherein the bandwidth connection of the sending processing unit equals the sum of the bandwidth connections of the plurality of receiving processing units; and/or a fast data collection transfer mode with a plurality of sending processing units and one receiving processing unit, wherein the sum of the bandwidth connections of the sending processing units equals the bandwidth connection of the receiving processing unit.
 19. The processing system defined in claim 18, wherein a said processing unit can work in a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) style.
 20. The processing system defined in claim 18, further comprising: a global control unit with access control lines that controls and arbitrates the data transfer demands coming from said processing units by executing data flow control sequences.
 21. The processing system defined in claim 20, wherein the controller executes a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from a single said processing unit to many said processing units with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with a.) (B % B_(B))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1), and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).
 22. The processing system defined in claim 20, wherein the controller executes a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from many said processing units to a single said processing unit with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with a.) (B % B_(B))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1), and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).
 23. The processing system defined in claim 21, wherein groups of processing elements can be arranged at run time to processing units.
 24. The processing system defined in claim 23, wherein processing elements are configurable at run time to said SIMD or non-SIMD style.
 25. A processing method using an architecture with a base bandwidth B_(B) comprising: providing a pipelined network connection formed as a ring with a bandwidth B_(BUS) which is a multiple of the base bandwidth B_(B) and with (B_(BUS)/B_(B))element of IN_(>1), where “/” represents the integer division and IN_(>1), represents natural number larger than 1, to enable the possibility to transfer multiple data sets with the base bandwidth B_(B) at the same time; connecting processing elements with possibly different bandwidth connection (x_(PE)*B_(B)) with element of IN_(>0) to said pipelined ring network, where IN_(>0) represents natural number; connecting processing units, formed of one or several processing elements which are grouped and controlled together, with different bandwidth connection (x_(PU)*B_(B)) with x_(PU) element of IN_(>0) to said pipelined ring network and a control apparatus; wherein said control apparatus controls over said pipelined ring network; a fast data spreading transfer mode with one sending unit and a plurality of receiving processing units, wherein the bandwidth connection of the sending processing unit equals the sum of the bandwidth connections of the plurality of receiving processing units; and/or a fast data collection transfer mode with a plurality of sending processing units and one receiving processing unit, wherein the sum of the bandwidth connections of the sending processing units equals the bandwidth connection of the receiving processing unit.
 26. The processing method defined in claim 25, wherein a said processing unit can work in a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) style.
 27. The processing method defined in claim 25, further comprising: controlling and arbitrating the data transfer demands coming from said processing units by executing data flow control sequences.
 28. The processing method defined in claim 27, wherein said controlling comprises execution of a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from a single said processing unit to many said processing units with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with a.) (B % B_(B))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1) and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).
 29. The processing method defined in claim 27, wherein said controlling comprises execution of a data flow control sequence, where data is transferred in a fast data transfer mode from many said processing units to a single said processing unit with equal sender and receiver bandwidth B with a.) (B % B_(B))==0 and b.) (B/B_(B))εIN_(>1) and c.) (B<=B_(BUS)).
 30. The processing method defined in claim 28, wherein groups of processing elements can be arranged at run time to processing units.
 31. The processing method defined in claim 30, wherein processing elements are configurable at run time to said SIMD or non-SIMD style.
 32. The processing method defined in claim 25, wherein data which is generated in one processing unit is divided in smaller parts which are transferred to multiple processing units at the same time.
 33. The processing method defined in claim 25, wherein data which is generated in multiple processing units is transferred at the same time to one processing unit where it is collected for further processing.
 34. The processing method in claim 25, wherein data and associated control data are generated in one processing unit then divided and transferred at the same time to different processing unit where it is needed for further processing. 